Really they appeared as so many thoroughbred devils right from the pit.

They were masked in a way, not only to conceal their identity, but in a way to make them appear as hideous as possible.

The leader of the mob shouted, "Jake Benton, you sanctified hypocrite, if you don't tell us where that preacher is we'll hang your carcass up for the crows to pick." "Maybe you will, but I'll hang there, before I'll tell," shouted poor Jake in a trembling voice.
"Who was that ole lady left your tent and went across the ground a while ago with a bonnet on ?" shouted one of the mob.
"I never saw an ole lady going across the ground," replied Jake.

(In this he was telling the truth, you know.) "Hang him up to a tree boys, hang him up, if he won't tell," shouted one of the gang.

"Bring the rope," shouted another as he took hold of Benton's arms.
Just at this juncture the leader of the mob suggested to Jake that if he and his comrades would break up camp and leave the ground immediately, they would not hang him, but would continue their search for the Evangelist.